national breastfeeding month in the usa

It's official, USA!

For a while now, World Breastfeeding Month has been celebrated in August by many moms and breastfeeding supporters. Now it will be formally recognized in the USA.

On August 6th, 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee declared August to be National Breastfeeding Month. The days events included a Community Baby Shower, participation in The Big Latch On, and a visit from Latch On America cross country bus tour.

The text of the proclamation:


Whereas, the mission of the United States Breastfeeding Committee (USBC) is to improve the Nation’s health by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding; and



Whereas, USBC envisions breastfeeding as the norm for infant and young child feeding throughout the United States; and


Whereas, breast milk is the preferred and most appropriate source of nutrition for infants, adapting over time to meet the changing needs of the growing infant; and


Whereas breastfeeding is a proven primary prevention strategy, protecting both infants and mothers from a host of chronic and acute diseases and conditions and building a foundation for life-long health and wellness; and


Whereas the act of breastfeeding builds a strong emotional connection between the mother and infant, a bond which lasts a lifetime; and


Whereas, breastfeeding provides a safe, reliable, and renewable food source, especially critical during natural disaster and emergency situations; and


Whereas, employers that provide workplace lactation support experience an impressive return on investment, including lower health care costs, absenteeism, and turnover rates, and improved morale, job satisfaction, and productivity; and


Whereas, all major medical authorities recommend that mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and continue breastfeeding for at least the first year of a child’s life, yet breastfeeding rates continue to fall short of the Nation’s Healthy People objectives; and


Whereas, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has issued The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, calling on health care providers, employers, insurers, policymakers, researchers, and the community at large to support mothers in reaching their personal breastfeeding goals; and


Therefore, on this 6th day of August, 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee does hereby proclaim August as National Breastfeeding Month, in furtherance of USBC’s role to advance breastfeeding on our Nation’s agenda through collaboration, leadership, and advocacy, so that all U.S. families will have the opportunity to breastfeed.





Robin W. Stanton, MA, RD, LD
Chair, United States Breastfeeding Committee


The U.S. Breastfeeding Committee is an independent, nonprofit coalition of more than 40 national professional, educational, and governmental organizations. Its mission is to improve our nation's health by protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding.